Ash Wednesday in Ventura County

Deacon John Kruer blesses a parishioner with ash to his forehead, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, as parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church celebrate Ash Wednesday, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.

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Father Jarlath Dolan blesses the ash with holy water as Deacon John Kruer (center) and Bob Suber prepare to assist in blessing the parishioners with the ash, Wednesday, February 13, 2013, as parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village celebrate Ash Wednesday.

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Nicole Ladwig, principal at Holy Cross School gets ready to put ashes on Daniel Cahue at San Buenaventura Mission as part of observing Ash Wednesday. Father Damian Fernando of led Ash Wednesday at the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Art Flores gets his ashes at San Buenaventura Mission church to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Father Damian Fernando of San Buenaventura Mission puts ashes on people forehead to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Nicole Ladwig, principal at Holy Cross School gets ready to put ashes on Lanie Johnson at San Buenaventura Mission as part of observing Ash Wednesday. Father Damian Fernando of led Ash Wednesday at the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Alfonso Mendez brings in the cross to start Mass with Father Damian Fernando of San Buenaventura Mission church to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Parishioner Sherri Katz sings a hymm after her forehead was blessed with ash, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, as parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.

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Parishioner Raymond Munoz prays after receiving the blessing of ash, Wednesday, February 13, 2013, as parishioners observe Ash Wednesday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.

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Father Jarlath Dolan (left) and Deacon John Kruer give communion to the parishioners, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, as parishioners observe Ash Wednesday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.

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Deacon John Kruer blesses the forehead of parishioner Raymond Munoz with ash, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, as parishioners observe Ash Wednesday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village.

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Deacon John Kruer gives a special sermon, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, as parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village observe Ash Wednesday.

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Julians Sondors looks around San Buenaventura Mission Church after getting his ashes to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Guna Sondors looks around San Buenaventura Mission Church after getting her ashes at to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.

Ventura County Star

Father Damian Fernando of San Buenaventura Mission blesses the ashes to observe Ash Wednesday. Children from Holy Cross School also celebrate Ash Wednesday by attending the 9 a.m. Mass.